What to do with a Yew Stave

[aklongbow]

Have a nice 72” very straight Yew Stave that I have been sitting on for over a year trying to decide what type of bow to make (Built several bow but consider myself a beginner) I am not a ELB type of guy.  I am 5’10 so most my bows are around 62”.  Question can I make a 62”, 1 ½” to ½ “ taper bow or should I make a ELB?  Want a good shooter that I can take hunting for Moose and Caribou here in AK

[bow-guy]

I curious for an answer too.  I am in similar positon with a yew stave and lots of billets. I am 5'10" with a 28.5 draw.

thanks,bow-guy.

[Dano]

I built a bow a few years back that was 66" 50#@26", it was 1 1/2" wide to mid-limb tappered to 1/2 knocks, rawhide backed for insurance. You can probably go a little shorter.

This was the only picture I could find of it.
 http://sports.webshots.com/photo/1137398363012701774xFdeXf

[aklongbow]

Thanks Dano, my goal is to have one 60#@26”, by the way was it a good shooter?

[Dano]

Still a good shooter, yew makes a great bow.

[jimsbows]

ELB is the signature style for this species.  I have a 75"  75# ELB.  Great hunting bow.  Go there and see what I am talking about.
Jimsbows

[bigcountry]

I myself made a ELB, and decided to make a flat bellied design next time.  They can be bad to twist in the hand. I want to make my next one like dano's.  

But I would give the ELB another shot if I had a good 72".

[Art B]

Only made one yew myself and I made it in the flat bow style. It's 62" with 1 3/8" retangular limbs. Amazing thing about the bow is that it handles a heavy arrow extremely well. Not big on the ELB personally......but that's just me though.

[aklongbow]

Jimsbows, I may have to take you up on that, I love the look I just haven’t heard much about the hunting capabilities, why I have been sitting on that stave…

[Pat B]

Check out Glenn St Charles' book  "Billets to Bows". An American longbow style works very well with yew.

[aklongbow]

Thanks guys, I laied out a 64"n-n in the sylye of the American longbow.  hunting these days but will get back to you on progress.

[Art B]

Just to be on the safe side I would recommend you start out generous with your limb thickness dimensions. My yew wood was fine ringed and it's weight came in very quick. Since I've only worked with that one piece I don't know if that's typical or not of yew. I backed mine with deer skin rawhide also for insurance. Good luck with yours and good hunting.

ART

[Tom Leemans]

And wear a respirator when the dust starts flying! We don't want a BAD lung problem with you!

[Shaun]

I would advise going long with yew, 66" minimum. Yew is very quick and light but will not bend as far as osage before exploding. You want most of the limb working on a shorter bow. Also, I second the be careful of the dust warning - it will get to you if you don't wear a mask and avoid sanding dust.

[Pat B]

This is a yew bow I built as my last year hunting bow. Since my this year hunting bow blew, this yew became my this year hunting bow!
66" t/t, 47#@26", Am. bison horn overlays and bends through the handle. It is a self bow with rounded belly. Sap wood and heartwood.  1/3 of a 4" diameter yew pole. Plenty of character and grain violations on the back. Only finish is hand rubber bear fat.
 
 
 
 

[aklongbow]

Nice looking bow Pat, not sure if I am ready to make a bow that bends through the handle, you have help me in the past so can I do this with some internet guidance:)

[Pat B]

I have only made a few yew bows; this one  and a 95#@30" war bow. I couldn't pull the war bow so I gave it back to the guy that gave me the stave.
   Ask away and we'll do what we can to get you going!